PWA means progressive web app. This is a website that has many features of native apps. However, PWAs offer many advantages over native apps. A PWA can be created with HTML5, CSS3 and Javascript. The Shopware PWA is based on a modern frontend design with a headless API architecture. Shopware PWA was developed in collaboration with VueStorefront.

Want to learn more about headless and the API architecture? - Feel free to read our blog article.

The vision behind PWAs is that apps no longer have to be downloaded from the app store. Instead, they simply work in the Internet browser. Oh, and another little sidefact: PWAs are significantly supported in Google's search engine rankings.

Shopware PWA was announced back in 2018 through Shopware's "Shopware Playground". In mid-2020, Shopware PWA was officially introduced by Shopware.

How does a PWA work?

The desired PWA is opened like a conventional website by entering the URL in the browser. Additional content is loaded online while the page is still open. This means that some pages can also be opened offline. 

Meanwhile, something is also happening in the background. That is: Through a subdomain, the code for an API interface is provided and the frontend is called. Through this, a variety of connections in the backend are possible and a more elegant solution of the frontend can be realized. 

By the way, any website can be extended to a PWA. You only need a classic website, which is responsive. 

Another important component of PWAs are so-called service workers. These are used to cache the information entered. This caching offers 

the possibility to use the website partially offline. Note, however, that service workers must be programmed separately and registered in JavaScript. However, it is also possible to connect a service worker via frameworks.

What is necessary for a PWA?

In general, you can add a PWA to any website. The only thing that is necessary is a website that is responsive. Then you need to add service workers, SSL encryption and an app manifest. 

What's special about PWA's?

- In PWAs you have the possibility of push notifications

- PWAs are partially functional offline

- PWAs are apps which do not need to be installed

- Multiple backends possible with one frontend

- Front- and Backend are separat

Are you interested in Shopware PWA in detail? We have written a detailed blog article about it. Feel free to read it here.
Visit our site to get an impression of Shopware PWA yourself. We give you with our PWA demo version an insight into the customer account, as well as in the administration.